The view across the Carmel River Valley is shrouded in fog today, a natural shield protecting us from extreme heat as the rest of California swelters. We've always heard that inland heat pulls moisture from the ocean, bringing rain as the water vapor travels over land. However, scientist Anastasis Makarieva's biotic pump theory reveals that forests actively draw in the rain they need. Trees aren't just passive recipients of weather; their transpiration processes within clouds gather and release rain, replenishing our watershed. As water moves through trees and into the soil, it sustains our environment and helps prevent fires. While some advocate for cutting trees and native vegetation to reduce fire risk, watershed science shows the importance of maintaining these natural systems. Keeping beneficial native vegetation in place helps hold water in the system, providing crucial fire prevention and water resources.
0 Comments
The Los Padres Dam has long shaped the Carmel River, but its future is now a topic of debate. While the removal of the San Clemente Dam marked a significant milestone, the next steps for Los Padres are still under consideration. As dams age, they fill with silt and become less effective, making rehabilitation costly compared to removal. However, removing the dam would eliminate our ability to release water during dry months and support firefighting efforts.
There are compelling arguments on both sides of this important discussion. The latest study on the Los Padres Dam is now available on the MPWMD website, and public comments are welcomed. Your voice matters in shaping the future of our river. The Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility, operated by the Monterey Peninsula Water Management, plays a crucial role in conserving our steelhead population. During the summer dry months, juvenile steelhead are rescued from the lower Carmel River and brought to the facility. Here, water is pumped from the river, cleaned, cooled, and circulated to keep the fish healthy until their re-release. Fish are typically held from early summer to late fall, depending on river flow and weather conditions. Once river flow returns, the fish are recaptured, counted, and released back into the river. To date, nearly 100,000 healthy steelhead have been successfully reared and released from the facility. Despite these efforts, annual steelhead counts show that the population remains threatened. Together, we continue to work towards improving habitat conditions and bringing this keystone species back. Did you know that the striped bass found along Carmel’s coast and in the Carmel River originally came from New Jersey? In 1879, California Fish and Wildlife transported 132 small bass from the Navesink River by rail and released them near Martinez. These bass have thrived and are now considered invasive in the Carmel River, preying on the endangered juvenile steelhead. This month, the Carmel Steelhead Association is conducting a survey to understand the striped bass diet and their impact on our river. With permits from state and federal agencies, volunteer fishermen are fly fishing for bass outside the legal fishing season. Researchers weigh and measure each fish, take scale samples, and examine stomach contents for DNA testing. This morning, we found an intact fish spine, a small mouse, and tiny crabs. Testing will reveal if steelhead DNA is present. Interestingly, a fish’s scales can tell its life story, much like tree rings. The lines within the scales indicate the fish’s age and whether it spent time in saltwater or freshwater. It’s estimated that 300-400 striped bass are currently in the Carmel River, but fishing for bass is only allowed during the open season, which varies from November/December to February/March depending on flows. Some believe year-round bass fishing would benefit the endangered steelhead, while others worry it could lead to year-round steelhead fishing, undermining conservation efforts. This study will provide crucial data on the striped bass’s eating habits and their impact on steelhead. During the winter season, steelhead fishing is catch-and-release from the mouth of the river up to Rosie’s Bridge on Esqualine Road, with the section from Los Padres Dam to the bridge always closed to protect juvenile and spawning fish. The Santa Lucia Conservancy Environmental Education Program, supported by the Carmel River Watershed Conservancy, has seen significant achievements in the first half of 2024. With 55 school classes conducted at Portrero Canyon and a total of 1,338 participants, the program delivered an enriching curriculum that integrates science, natural history, and the arts. This immersive educational approach, which is compliant with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), not only enhances ecological literacy but also instills principles of environmental stewardship and social-emotional learning. In an effort to make nature education accessible to all, nearly half of the classes this year were from underserved schools, with seven benefiting from transportation reimbursements provided through bussing scholarships. This inclusivity initiative ensures that students from diverse backgrounds can experience and learn from the natural world. This year, a new Restoration Ecology Stewardship initiative was introduced for students in grades 8-12, aimed at restoring the riparian old-growth redwood ecosystem in Potrero Canyon. The program educates participants about the impacts of fire suppression and invasive species on ecosystem health, serving as an educational tool to inspire environmental restoration efforts. The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board is seeking public feedback on their draft order on the Vegetation and Sediment Activities for Fire Fuel Reduction and Flood Control across the Central Coast Region. This is an opportunity to review and comment on measures aimed at enhancing fire safety and flood management. Access the PDF here or view more info online.
Submit Your Comments: The deadline for written comments is 5:00 PM on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Please send your feedback electronically to April Woods at [email protected], or by mail to: Central Coast Water Board, 401 Water Quality Certification Program, 895 Aerovista Place, Suite 101, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. A public meeting to discuss the draft order will be scheduled soon, and we will provide details as they become available. The long-awaited Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (RDEIR) for the Carmel River Lagoon and Scenic Road was released this past spring, receiving mixed reviews. Much of the text from the 2016 DEIR was incorporated, rendering the conclusions and recommendations unclear and confusing. The County's "preferred project" remains uncertain, despite the evaluation of dozens of alternative solutions. The County appears to favor installing a protective structure along the Scenic Road bluffs to prevent further erosion beneath this scenic and heavily used roadway. However, further clarification is needed regarding the placement, length, and height of the wall. The solutions for the periodic flooding from the Lagoon are even more puzzling, as none of the proposed alternatives seem realistic or attainable. Fortunately, a team led by Supervisor-Elect Kate Daniels, comprising legislative staff members, is already collaborating with the various governmental agencies involved. Their goal is to refine the conclusions sufficiently to present them to the County Board of Supervisors this fall. We wish them success in this challenging endeavor!
CRWC will be undertaking an exciting wildfire management and education project in the second half of 2024, which will remain active through mid-2026. Funded by a $787,000 grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy, this initiative is a collaboration with the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCDMC) and the Fire Safe Council for Monterey County (FSCMC). With matching funds totaling approximately $1.588 million, the project's total reaches nearly $2.4 million. The ultimate goal of this project is to reduce wildfire severity and risks to life and property. The project's scope includes increasing organizational capacity, conducting education, outreach, and planning and management of wildfires in Monterey County. RCDMC funding will support the implementation of four subprojects led by RCDMC in partnership with FSCMC, which includes further vegetation mapping in the Carmel River Watershed. CRWC and the Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association (CCPBA) will address the need to scale up wildfire resilience efforts in the county. CRWC will utilize a new wildfire outreach position, funded at $90,000 over two years, to assist with educational events and materials focused on wildfire resilience and preparation, as well as watershed health and restoration. Emphasis on wildfire risk mitigation outreach will be directed toward residents of Carmel Valley. The FSCMC will use the position to augment wildfire preparedness education and outreach efforts in Carmel Valley and surrounding communities. Additionally, CRWC will create vegetation mapping at a HUC10 level for the Carmel River watershed, in partnership with the Cal State Monterey Bay Watershed Institute. These updated wildfire regime and fine-scale vegetation map products will support a variety of local natural resource management goals, including more efficient management of the Carmel River Watershed and better utilization of grant funding to achieve and maintain wildfire resilience. This project also aligns with and supports a broader effort across Monterey, San Benito, and San Luis Obispo counties, led by Coastal San Luis Obispo RCD, to create a similar fine-scale vegetation map for all three counties, as well as several spatial data products. Stay tuned for upcoming events, programs, and materials resulting from this project! California Wildlife Day at Palo Corona Regional Park was a resounding success, drawing around 1,200 enthusiastic participants eager to engage with and learn about our state's rich biodiversity. Keynote speakers, including Kerry Frangioso, a researcher from Big Sur, and Cooper Leinhart, a beaver specialist and restoration ecologist, provided deep insights into their fields, highlighting the urgency of protecting our 'Species on the Edge,' such as the steelhead trout and the snowy plover.
Antonio Balestreri, a master falconer, captivated attendees with demonstrations showcasing the intelligence and beauty of his birds, enhancing awareness about the importance of avian predators in our ecosystems. Meanwhile, children enjoyed a variety of activities, from butterfly art to obstacle courses, fostering a love for nature among our youngest conservationists. Exhibitors, including the Santa Lucia Conservancy, provided invaluable resources and insights into current environmental efforts and ways everyone can contribute. A poignant highlight was the performance by the Rumsen Ohlone Tribal Community Dancers, whose traditional songs and dances, reconstructed from historical research, offered a glimpse into the cultural heritage intrinsically tied to California's landscapes. This day was not just a celebration but a call to action, emphasizing the collective effort needed to preserve our natural world for future generations. We look forward to next year’s event on April 6, 2025!
Before joining the CRWC, Elise demonstrated her dedication to protecting the Russian River Watershed, spearheading initiatives at the Russian River Confluence. Her ability to forge coalitions of government, nonprofit, and tribal organizations has propelled critical restoration projects forward. She created the Respect Russian River campaign, fostering collaboration among Sonoma and Mendocino counties and engaging stakeholders from individuals to businesses to agencies to work together for the health of the river. As Project Manager for Supervisor Hopkins in the County of Sonoma, she has led community outreach and political advocacy for a diverse array of projects from water systems to public infrastructure.
Elise's leadership was apparent in her founding and guiding environmentally-focused nonprofits like the Colorado Maker Hub and the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado. Drawing from her extensive experience in government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, she brings a wealth of policy acumen, management proficiency, and environmental outreach expertise. After spending years away in Colorado, Elise has been ecstatic to return to the rivers and ocean of her native California. Elise is an avid gardener, storyteller, and community builder. "I am honored to have the opportunity to work with this exceptional Board in advancing CRWC's mission. This team has accomplished so much, and yet there is still more to be done to protect the well-being of the river. Working together with our regional partners, I am eager to lead CRWC to preserve and protect our watershed." Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Elise Weiland as she embarks on this journey with us. |